The 9 Best Computer Monitors of 2020

Choosing the “best” monitor can very much depend on your needs, but the LG 27UK850-W checks all the boxes for a top-of-the-line multipurpose display. With its 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), you’ll enjoy dazzling picture quality across a 27-inch screen with sleek, functional design.

The LG 27UK850’s in-plane switching (IPS) panel allows for 178-degree viewing angles and accurate, vibrant colors. It also supports high dynamic range (HDR) technology, and though it may not hit the peak brightness and color range some HDR-mode enthusiasts look for, the monitor delivers an excellent experience for both media watching and professional photo or video editing.

Those looking to the LG 27UK850 for gaming needs won’t be disappointed, either. Even without exceeding a 60-hertz refresh rate like speedier gaming monitors do, support for variable refresh rate through AMD’s FreeSync eliminates screen tearing while Dynamic Action Sync reduces input lag.

The LG 27UK850 includes a couple features that the similar 27UK650 model doesn’t: built-in speakers and a USB-C port. The USB-C input gives it extra versatility for connecting to and charging today’s laptops and other devices. Added all up, you’ll get the premium features and performance you pay for with the LG 27UK850. 

This 27-inch monitor from Dell’s Professional line offers a ton of features perfect for someone looking for a work-friendly unit. With a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate, it isn’t going to be good for gaming, but it will be perfectly crisp for business and general media consumption. The wide 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for wielding multiple windows for increased productivity. And speaking of productivity, the fully adjustable stand will allow for your preferred viewing angle and arrangement — even if you’re looking for a vertical portrait orientation.

Dell’s Complete Clarity setting provides a 4,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, giving some amazing viewability from a color, sharpness, and shadow/highlight perspective. Dell has also baked in a tech they’re calling ComfortView that filters out excess blue light to dull the harsh effects of staring at your monitor for extended periods of time, allowing you to work longer and more comfortably. There’s one Display Port, one HDMI input, one VGA input, 3 USB ports (1 upstream and 2 inputs), and USB connectivity that supports the super-fast 3.0 protocol. Overall, it’s a great monitor that’ll factor in seamlessly to your work setup, whether it’s your only monitor or it’s part of a multi-screen system. 

If you’re shopping on a limited monitor budget, the Acer SB220Q bi can help you squeeze the most pixel power out of each dollar. Given its low price tag, a surprising collection of features are packed into this quarter-inch-thin, nearly bezel-free frame. The 21.5-inch screen isn’t the biggest around, but its full High-Definition 1080p IPS panel provides better viewing angles and overall picture quality than the TN panels typical of this price range.

This versatile monitor throws in extra features for gamers as well. Its 75-hertz refresh rate is a slight bump up from the standard 60-hertz rate, and support for AMD FreeSync can dynamically create a smoother gaming experience when paired with compatible graphics cards. Its 4ms response time isn’t as fast as what modern TN panels can achieve, but still great for most cases.

The design of the Acer SB220Q bi, while sleek and solid enough, doesn’t offer much in the way of adjustability beyond a limited range of tilt. It also lacks USB inputs, with only one HDMI and one VGA port. Minor concessions like these keep it affordable, though, and still offers quite a few extra features for the price.

Looking for a gaming monitor that won't break your bank? Check out our roundup of the best budget gaming monitors.

Though the Samsung SD300 might sub out an IPS for a TN panel to lower costs, the monitor welcomes in one of the best displays you’ll find at a reasonable price tag. Stylish and glossy, the monitor has a 23.6-inch screen and 1920 x 1080 resolution. Samsung’s Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio technology covers 114 percent of the sRGB color space, resulting in bright visuals and images that remain crisp and clear no matter how fast the action is happening — perfect for gamers or binge-watchers. Want to connect another device? Onboard HDMI lets you link a variety of devices, like laptops, satellite boxes, and HD gaming systems, while Magic Upscale technology keeps images sharp and reduces degradation when transferred.

The monitor has three energy-saving modes, allowing you to conserve either 25-, 50-, or 100-percent energy (fully powered off). Users can also set a timer to activate one of these modes when the monitor hasn’t been used after a certain period of time.

If you have a killer gaming setup and need a powerful gaming monitor to match, it doesn’t get much better than the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ. As a premium 27-inch 4K IPS monitor in the Asus “Republic of Gamers” (ROG) hardware line, it brings all the latest display technologies together in one impressive package.

Combining HDR support with 384 individual zones of LED backlight, you’ll get stunning contrast between darks and lights, with brightness peaking at 1000 cd/m² (or “nits”). It also supports the cinema-standard DCI-P3 color gamut, wider than the standard sRGB range, producing rich and accurate colors for media work as well as gaming.

Gamers will want speed along with their image quality, of course, and the ROG Swift PG27UQ can hit a 144-hertz refresh rate with a 4ms response time. Gameplay gets even smoother for those with compatible Nvidia graphics cards, thanks to the monitor’s G-Sync support. It also helps keep gamers’ eyes comfortable during long sessions with flicker reduction and low blue light technology. As a bonus, the machine shoots a red-light projection onto your wall or desktop—either the ROG logo or a custom design to suit your style. 

Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best high-end gaming monitors. 

Other gaming monitors might boast 4K resolution and more advanced picture quality, but the BenQ Zowie XL2740 e-Sports Monitor goes beyond that — it’s a powerful weapon for the most competitive gamers. Instead of a newer IPS panel for wider viewing angles and improved color reproduction, the 27-inch XL2740 sticks to a 1080p twisted-nematic (TN) display to optimize refresh rates and response times. The result is maximum responsiveness with a 240-hertz refresh rate and truly minimal response rate and input lag — provided the rest of your gaming hardware can keep pace. These specs won’t make a big difference to everyday consumers, but they’re crucial for e-sports and fast-twitch gaming, where any frame can mean the difference between virtual life and death.

The Zowie XL2740’s other included features all keep serious gamers in mind. Adjustable shields on either side help block out unwanted light and other distractions. Specialized tools let you brighten dark areas, adjust color tones, and more. These settings can be fine-tuned based on your preferences and mapped to swappable custom profiles to get every edge possible in any gaming scenario. 

There are ultra-wide monitors — and then there’s the Samsung CHG90. The standard widescreen aspect ratio is 16:9, while the typical ultra-wide monitor might have a 34-inch screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Samsung’s “super ultrawide” measures 49 inches with an aspect ratio of 32:9. That’s like two 27-inch 16:9 monitors put together!

The screen has a tight 1800R curve that helps you see the edges of its vast real estate in your peripheral vision. It’s not the sharpest display available, though, with only 1080p vertical resolution and an 81.4 pixels-per-inch pixel density. It does, however, sport a QLED vertical alignment (VA) panel with local dimming. When combined with HDR mode, the monitor produces vivid colors and excellent picture quality.

The Samsung CHG90 also markets itself as gaming monitor, and its 144-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time will certainly serve gamers well. It also features AMD’s FreeSync 2, the latest version of AMD’s variable refresh rate technology, which is designed to pair nicely with HDR. The monitor’s performance, size, and other extra gamer-centric features come together to provide a one-of-a-kind immersive gaming experience, provided you have the budget and desktop space to make it work.

Check out our guide to the best ultra-wide monitors you can buy today. 

If you want to watch movies from your computer, the 32-inch AOC 4K LED monitor strikes a good balance between size and features. The 3840 x 2160 4K Ultra HD screen has four times the resolution of an HD display, delivering richer color accuracy with over 1.07 billion colors in total. This monitor adds 178-degree viewing angles with consistent image quality across the board and two three-watt speakers on each side of the monitor for enhanced audio. Additionally, AOC opted for a TN panel instead of the more traditional IPS panel. This results in a superior contrast ratio — more brilliant colors and deeper blacks — for a vibrant movie-watching experience.

With 31.5 inches of viewable screen, there’s enough space for multiple windows (if you want to multitask while you watch). And AOC's flicker-free technology reduces the number of flickers that can be seen with each screen refresh on the LED, eliminating long-term discomfort or eye fatigue.

Looking specifically for 4K? Check out our list of the best 4K monitors on the market this year.